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The friendly little Beagle must have a lot going for him. Ever since the 1950’s when he took over the number one spot in popularity in the dog world, according to the old American Kennel Club registrations, he has managed to stay in the top ten as one of the nation’s favorite purebred dogs.
There are a lot of good reasons for this well-established popularity. First, and perhaps most important of all, the Beagle is among the least expensive of the purebred breeds, which automatically puts it within the reach of more dog lovers and families that may not want to spend too much money on a purebred for the kids.
A good, sound pet Beagle puppy can be purchased for anywhere in the several hundred dollar range. Show quality puppies are less than five hundred dollars at most breeders. Those for which a breeder is willing to guarantee championship, or have been trained to chase rabbits, will cost more perhaps.
Beagles which have already won championships in the show ring can take you right up to the upper three or four figure category, but such qualifications are not necessary to have an upstanding Beagle that will last years to come.
In addition to its down-to-earth, reasonable price range, the Beagle has many other enchanting features which set it apart from other canine aristocrats. For instance, there is an absolute minimum of care and grooming involved. There is hardly any shedding, and no long silky coat to keep untangled – an absolute dream for anyone that does not get excited about daily brushing and care for matted coats.
Nor are there any feathering ears, feet, and tail to gather burrs or stickers when they play outdoors with the children – and they LOVE to play with the little ones!
Another point in their favor is that they are hunting hounds, which means they have healthy appetites so you don’t need to worry about pleasing finicky eaters. (Hunting hounds are widely known for being heavy eaters to fuel their energy expenditure).
And should you decide to have that “one litter” you will find that Beagles are easy whelpers, have moderate-sized litters, and the puppies are without a doubt among the most adorable of any breed. A strong selling point if you can bear to part with even one puppy!
The size of the Beagle is also an advantage. It comes in two acceptable sizes according to the American Kennel Club Standard for the breed – the first size is under 13 inches and the second is from 13 to 15 inches at the shoulder. It is an average-to-small size dog which fits into any type of house, apartment, or kennel.
This ideal size assures the owner that the dog is substantial enough to withstand the rough and tumble onslaught of young children without sustaining broken bones, yet will be cozy in any atmosphere, so long as it is lives inside with the family.
Too many owners buy an exotic looking dog, many times a toy or miniaturized purebred, because it is the current rage or it appeals to them personally, which actually ends up being far too small and breakable for children to roughhouse with and really enjoy.
All dogs love to romp with children so it is up to the parents to provide a dog which can keep up with the activities of every member of the family without the risk of personal injury. Veterinary bills for fractures and internal injury are more common than most people would believe and are generally attributable to mismatched dogs and owners - hence, the Beagle is always the best choice!
Bring On The Beaglers!
The most significant reason for the fast-growing popularity of the Beagle is the new surge of activity and interest in the sport of Beagling. Not only is the dog excellent as a house pet, but it is also a great credit to its owner in the field, since it is so proficient as a trailing hound.
There is no better dog in the world than the Beagle when it comes to chasing after rabbits, and unlike other hunting hounds the Beagle is happy to merely track down the elusive hare. It does not need to experience the satisfaction of the kill to enjoy the hunt.
This means that parents – as Beagling today is a family enterprise – can enjoy the outdoors with their children and their dogs without the undesirable and potentially dangerous association with guns and killing.
Beagling is within the realm of sport and not the shoot-to-kill massacre that hunting forays that other breeds can turn out to be. The cry “Tally Ho” need no longer be a death knell.
Another exciting aspect of Beagling is that the dogs are small in size and can be followed on foot rather than on horseback. This keeps expenses down, and physical fitness is an added advantage. There are many Beaglers today who choose to jog after their dogs rather than merely follow along behind smartly attired in traditional livery.
To attest to the wide appeal of Beagling today all you need to do is look at the records for field trials in the United States. By the early seventies there were nearly ten thousand field trials held each year, with almost a quarter of a million starters. Of these trials and starters the Beagles were by far the most popular and account for the greater majority of events - and not without good reason.
The Beagle possesses many of the necessary qualifications which assure a fine performance in the field. They are fast for their size and have a great deal of stamina, a keen nose, and endurance. The American Kennel Club states in their booklet of rules and regulations that the purpose of the trial is for the Beagle to find game and pursue it in an energetic and decisive manner. As any Beagler will tell you, Beagles fit the bill on all accounts!
The History Of The Sport Beagling
The sport of Beagling goes way back into history. British royalty was primarily responsible for the success of Beagling, and names such as Queen Elizabeth, Queen Victoria, Henry VIII, William the Conqueror, the first Prince of Wales, King James I, and William of Orange, to name a few, were all keen on the Beagle dog breed and Beagling.
Beagles were also well represented in the great paintings of the Elizabethan era. Royalty was frequently painted in full court Regalia, bedecked in the crown jewels, and with their favorite little dogs on their laps; or on horseback in the fields with their Beagles running alongside, while the country squires were portrayed gathered outside the inns and taverns with their dogs after the last chase over the lush English countryside.
Beagles also made their impression on the famous writers of the era, gaining mention in the literally world through the works of Sir Walter Scott, Dryden and William Somerville, William Shakespeare in his play “Twelfth Night” has his Sir Toby Belch refer in a most complimentary manner to Maria as “a Beagle true bred.”
With all due respect to “The Hound of the Baskervilles” we find that the famous English master detective writer, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, makes mention also of a Beagle in his Sherlock Homes tale, “The Missing Three-Quarter”. The Beagle in the story was a member of the Cambridge University Beagle Pack.
Many of the colleges of that day maintained packs as part of the college sports curriculum, which were supported by grants of subscriptions. They were great sporting attractions and were the forerunners of today’s field trials.
The spirit and personality of the Beagle which has always stood out in the field is also a factor in its increasing numbers and successes in the dog show ring. The outgoing personality, even temperament, and desire to please cannot help but catch the eye of the judges. This may account for its success and accomplishments in the obedience ring as well.
In addition to its desirable size and smooth, compact appearance, the color patterns on the Beagle are appealing and attractive to many people. While the tri-color markings are the most desirable, the red and whites, and the lemon and whites are also beautiful and equally acceptable in the show ring.
Bring On The Pocket Beagle
The admiration of the Beagle has become so great that we may even see a resurgence of popularity for the pocket, or miniature Beagle. The pocket Beagles are those which measure in at ten inches or less at the shoulder, yet are the same type of dog in every other respect.
Pocket Beagles were a favorite with Queen Elizabeth who used to carry hers around in her sleeve, much like the Chinese carried their Pekingese. As a matter of fact, some of our Beaglers today who are breeding pocket Beagles manage to carry them home from the fields in the pockets of their bush jackets, so their name is not at all inappropriate.
The only detrimental feature seems to be that the pocket Beagle is often the same size as the very same rabbit it is chasing, and a distraught owner may find himself digging his pet out after it has followed the hare right down into its hole (quite funny if you think about it!).
Only The Best!
When you combine the attractive color pattern, the ideal size for any type of living accommodations, the outgoing personality, the realistic price, minimum care, and easy feeding and whelping, together with the competence of the Beagle in the field, there is little wonder that Beagles and Beagling have become an all-American sport that almost everyone can enjoy!
No matter how you look at it, the Beagle is one of the best buys if you want a purebred dog!
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May 17, 2009 | | Reports
Most people are familiar with gun dogs, sled, tracking, trailing and seeing-eye dogs, not to mention bloodhounds and deer, coon and foxhounds – but the coastline has produced an entirely different variety of dog, namely… the surf hound.
Surf hounds are the vagabonds who thrive on California’s beaches despite signs forbidding their presence. In a way, they are symptomatic of the permissiveness and lack of purpose which seems to characterize certain segments of our society.
Nearly all surf hounds are well fed – and some have obviously been fed too well, indicating that they have homes where they enjoy regular meals. Yet they run around unsupervised and in unruly packs, with nothing better to do than play and squabble amongst themselves. It is apparent that their owners don’t care enough about them to keep them under control.
Although their antics are amusing enough to watch – and sometimes even hilarious – surf hounds are a terrible nuisance to beachgoers, since the dogs seem to consider the beach their personal territory. They tear around in noisy pursuit of each other, leaving a sandy wake wherever they go – and heaven help whoever gets in their way.
Of course they are friendly enough on the whole, but that just adds to the problem because they tend to leap all over people in an effort to engage them in their games. Or else they park themselves on beach blankets and lick whatever faces are handy in a show of their appreciation and gregariousness.
Above all, they seem to be immune to all manner of threats to chase them away.
Surf hounds come in all shapes and sizes. Most are mongrels and look like composites of about a dozen different breeds, but many are unmistakably pedigreed. It makes one wonder how the owners of such valuable dogs could let them run around wild, not so much at the beach, but on the streets, where traffic is a constant danger.
Although surf hounds may look scruffy and unkempt, they are generally not dirty, because they often run into the sea to fetch things or to chase each other. Of course the long-haired ones are a pretty sorry sight when they are wet, with the sand sticking to their coats as though they had been sprinkled liberally with salt.
Many of them constantly dig and scratch themselves. It is difficult to tell whether this is because they have fleas or if it is just the salty sea water which makes their skins itch. It is probably a combination of the two.
Some surf hounds are young, sleek, and bouncy, but others are old and fat, and can hardly manage to waddle along behind the rest of the pack. Still, young or old, they all seem to know the favorite picnic spots and the trash cans that yield the juiciest treasures.
Not only are surf hounds vagabonds, they are also thieves. They steal things from people’s blankets – food, toys, sometimes even the blankets themselves. But sometimes they also come bearing gifts – old bones or sticks which they want to have thrown for them to fetch.
Their inexhaustible desire to play and frolic can be quite disarming, especially when they streak through the sand hell-bent – not to reach any particular destination but just for the joy of running.
Of course, in their exuberance, they do not hesitate to bowl over anything that gets in their way: I once observed two strapping, happy-go-lucky boxers strong-arm a bright colored ball away from a little boy.
Naturally, in the scuffle they managed to push him down in the sand, where he sat with the tears streaming down his cheeks, clenching his little fists in frustration, while the boxers pushed his ball out to sea with their paws and noses. It would have been a humorous sight except that the little boy was truly frightened.
The Power Of The Pack
A dog is not nearly so bold on his own as he is when running with a pack; and it is amazing how easily domestic pets revert to being predators when they hunt together. Of course, surf hounds can’t do much damage because their only prey consists of pigeons and seagulls, which they can’t catch anyway unless the birds are injured.
But dogs living in colder climates soon become killers when they encounter game which has been debilitated by the privations of winter. Obviously, they cannot be blamed for this because it is their instinct and, in many cases, also their breeding to pull down game; and it wouldn’t be nearly so bad if these were all dogs hunting to live, but in many cases they are fat family pets which kill for the sake of killing.
A dog hunting alone, unless he is exceptionally powerful and resourceful, doesn’t stand much of a chance of catching up with a deer and then tearing it to pieces; however, in a pack – and these packs seem to be highly organized – the dogs work as a team.
Although I’ve never witnessed an actual killing, I have heard and seen several cases in progress. The big dogs did most of the leg work, while the small ones made most of the noise. Both, I am sure, took part in the final bloodbath.
It was terrible to hear the pitiful screams of their prey but there was nothing I could do because by that time they were beyond help. The corpses were always horribly mutilated but never eaten.
Whenever there is deep snow, covered over with a crust of ice, conditions are especially favorable for dogs because they manage to stay on the surface, whereas a deer’s sharp hooves cut through the ice, which not only slows them down but injures their legs. At such times, the devastation is so great that game wardens may be authorized to shoot dogs caught chasing deer.
This must be a most distasteful duty for them and one which never fails to bring public indignation to a fever pitch. Dog owners simply refuse to believe that their good-natured, pampered pets, who sleep under their beds at night, can be bloodthirsty marauders when they are on the prowl with their companions.
People Are To Blame
Not all dogs that form packs are vagrant pets; some are genuinely wild, or at least homeless. The blame for this can generally be placed squarely on the people who bought them when they were cute, furry pups in pet shop windows, only to abandon them later when they grew big and developed voracious appetites.
It is the same sad story again and again. Families from the city go to the country or the seaside for their summer holidays. Open-air living seems to evoke in them a desire for animal companionship, so they buy a puppy for the kids.
This works well enough until it is time to return to the city. What’s to be done with a now half-grown and exceedingly demanding animal? The people are hesitant about taking it back to a narrow apartment in the city and there is no time to advertise for another owner.
Of course they could take it to an animal shelter – but few people bother to do this. They are afraid of being asked embarrassing questions or having a donation wheedled out of them.
So, with the kids crying and the pup whining, they get into their bulging SUVs and drive away. Now the pup is on his own. He may starve to death or he may be killed on the highway. If he is very lucky, he may be taken in by a kind-hearted neighbor or apprehended by the local dogcatcher.
His only other alternatives are to start scavenging in trash cans or hunting for his food. In either case, he invariably meets up with other waifs like himself and together they form a pack. They are like a small army, with a definite pecking order and no shortage of recruits, either from pups born in the wild or from other dogs abandoned by departing vacationers.
Once, while I was out riding my horse, I suddenly found myself surrounded by one of these packs. It comprised about a dozen dogs of all ages, sizes, and descriptions. They were a truly menacing lot, raising a horrendous racket and snapping at my horse’s feet. It was the only time in my life that I was afraid of dogs.
My horse was soon on the verge of panic. He reared and bucked and there was nothing I could do to pacify him. Finally he lashed out in all directions and I could tell from the dull thud that he had made contact.
One of the yipping mongrels was sent flying through the air. The rough landing stunned him for an instant but then he took off, dragging one leg, his tail between his legs. Luckily the others followed.
It is entirely possible that my imagination has embellished this scene over the years. Perhaps the dogs had only wanted to play; if so, neither my horse nor I had understood their overtures.
Harnessing The Pack Instinct
It is not the dogs’ instinct to hunt and kill that is wrong, but the circumstances under which it may be released. If dogs were truly living in the wild, they would have to hunt for their food just like any other predator. This is the law of nature.
But, as dogs have been domesticated for many thousands of years, countless generations of huntsmen have been able to harness this predatory instinct for their own use. It is a pleasure to watch dogs that have been trained to work for man, especially when they function as a team as do foxhounds or huskies.
Dogs that hunt in a pack are unbelievably brave. They will risk being gored to death by a stag’s antlers or mauled by the giant claws of a bear, and nothing will make them back off except their master’s command. It may be cruel to pursue game with a team of highly trained dogs, but it is nevertheless a sport involving great skill and no small risk to the dogs.
Sled dogs, huskies in particular, present an even more outstanding example of how pack instincts can be put to practical use. Essentially, huskies are as wild as wolves. They wage bloody battles with each other and, if given the opportunity, will not hesitate to kill. But when they are put to work as a team, they perform as harmoniously together as the well-coiled dogs of a very efficient machine.
If such dogs form any attachment at all, it is to one man, and it is for life. They will serve only this master, and no amount of coddling or thrashing will persuade them to accept another. Much of Siberia was charted with the aid of these dogs and there were countless wild-north expeditions in which they played a vital part.
Not Born Free
From California’s surf hounds to Siberia’s huskies may have been a long way to stray, but the problems confronting dog owners are much the same everywhere. Having domesticated and subjugated the dog, man has as a consequence certain obligations toward him.
There can be no question of returning him to Nature because most dogs are not “born free” and have not been for many thousands of years. After all, would a man send his adolescent son out into the world, with a knife and a gun, and tell him to go kill his food or, even worse, let him become so wanton that he kills for his pleasure?
In is no simple task to keep a dog in the city or the suburbs, or even the country for that matter. One can chain him, but that’s a risky business because dogs have been known to strangle themselves with their tethers.
One can keep him in the house and walk him religiously in the morning and at night, but the hours of waiting are boring for the dog and the walking is often inconvenient for the owner. If one is lucky enough to have a large fenced-in yard, one can turn him loose in it, but even then some dogs need additional exercise.
There is no ideal solution and the problem has as many variations as there are dogs and dog owners. But there is no disputing the fact that dogs which are allowed to roam free are a nuisance to everyone and a danger to themselves. This holds true for surf hounds as well as deer stalkers and other footloose canines.
A dog needs more than food, shelter, love and exercise. He needs discipline and a purpose in life, some function which is his daily obligation, even if it is only fetching one’s slippers at night.
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May 17, 2009 | | Reports
Shortly before 3 o’clock on the morning of August 5, 2007, Donna Hedl was jolted awake by shouts of her niece and nephew, who were visiting Donna and her husband Joe in their Roselle, Illinois, home.
Something was wrong with Congo, the family’s six-year-old German Shepherd!
“He was retching, but to no avail,” Mrs. Hedl recounted later. “There was a slight foam around his mouth and he was constantly swallowing.”
As she watched, Congo’s behavior became more peculiar. The dog would sit glassy-eyed and hang his head, or crawl behind a chair and stoop as if to defecate… but, again, to no avail.
Then Mrs. Hedl noticed a slight swelling in Congo’s abdomen.
“My first thought was bloat… but of course that just couldn’t happen to my dog,” she said. “Besides, the last time he had eaten was more than twenty-four hours earlier.”
When she called the animal hospital in nearby Dundee at 3 a.m., Mrs. Hedl said that the dog had been poisoned, an assumption based on the fact that the Hedl’s yard had recently been sprayed with weed killer. But when she mentioned the abdominal swelling, she was told to bring the dog to the clinic immediately.
Within an hour, Congo was under the glaring lights of an operating table and the Hedl’s original fear had been confirmed. The dog was suffering from acute gastric dilatation – bloat.
Congo’s experience was by no means unusual. He was just one of the thousands of dogs that are stricken by bloat each year.
(Some veterinary authorities claim that more than 60,000 dogs per year in the United States have attacks of bloat. That’s nearly 200 dogs per day. Others put the estimate even higher, claiming that many dogs die of the disorder annually.)
Strike Two
Although Congo was saved by the prompt work of Dr. Raymond Norlin and Dr. David McLaughlin, the Hedl’s troubles did not end with just the bill for surgery.
On November 4, nearly three months to the day after the first incident, Congo had a second attack. The circumstances and symptoms (beginning with dry vomiting) were almost identical to those of the first episode. It was late at night and the dog had not eaten since midnight of the previous day – and then only about two cups of a commercially prepared dry dog food.
“I tried getting him to drink water, hoping he had something caught in his throat,” Mrs. Hedl said, “but knowing that wasn’t what was wrong.”
By the time the Hedls rushed Congo to the clinic he “looked like he was in whelp with twenty pups.”
After being unable to pass a stomach tube or stimulate the stomach muscles with drugs, Dr. Norlin and Dr. Roger Yates were again forced to operate. They found a stomach solidly packed with pasty, partially digested food, and swollen so much that the stomach wall was badly torn.
The veterinarians repaired the damage as best they could, then kept the dog under observation for three days.
(Congo has had more corrective surgery than you can imagine. In addition to the two bloat operations – the first requiring removal of the spleen and the second leaving a foot-long external scar – the dog has had the pectineus muscle in one leg severed and the ball of the hip removed to relieve hip dysplasia, and had two growths removed in another operation.)
At last report, Congo was home with the Hedls, romping and playing as if nothing had happened – but restricted to a special diet and constantly under the watchful eye of his owners, who fear another attack would kill him.
Searching For Answers
Congo was one of the luckier ones. Many dogs do not survive their first bloat attack; fewer still make it through a second. What causes such tragedies and what can be done to prevent them?
At present, neither question can be adequately answered.
In June of 1976, a panel of eight scientists from various areas of veterinary and human medicine met in Denver to discuss these questions and to plot a course for future investigation of the disease.
The panel was organized by the Morris Animal Foundation, which has given canine bloat research high priority and has established a special Bloat Fund to finance it. Though disagreement did exist among the scientists on that panel, a number of observations about bloat can be drawn from the discussion:
Acute gastric dilatation seems to be most prevalent in the larger breeds – Great Danes, German Shepherds, Irish Setters, etc. - although it has also been seen on occasion in the smaller breeds. It has been suggested that the depth of the chest, rather than the actual body size, is the factor that makes certain breeds particularly susceptible.
Congo’s case notwithstanding, most bloat attacks follow a big meal and the consumption of large amounts of water. For some unknown reason, the food does not pass normally through the digestive system, but remains in the stomach.
(Congo’s small dinner remained in his stomach, slowly swelling, for more than 24 hours; the stomach normally empties within 8 to 16 hours.)
Many bloat cases include a twisting of the stomach, which pinches off the escape routes of the digestive material. However, this twisting is more often the result of bloat than a cause of it, since many instances of gastric dilatation involve no twist.
The first hint the dog owner has that something is amiss would probably be a look of discomfort and restlessness in the dog. The dry vomiting and swelling that Mrs. Hedl described would soon follow.
Exactly What Is Happening To Your Dog?
It is critically important that the dog receive prompt medical attention if these symptoms occur. The stomach can quickly swell to the size of a basketball, damaging and straining many body systems and increasing the likelihood of future trouble.
Let’s trace the changes that can take place in a dog’s body during an attack of bloat accompanied by twisting of the stomach:
As the stomach swells with gas, it begins turning on a longitudinal axis, always in a clockwise direction. This initial twisting – called torsion – is dangerous, but not as critical as the stage it could lead to. That is volvulus, a clockwise turning of the stomach on a vertical axis.
(If the stomach were pictured as a football lying lengthwise in the body cavity, torsion would be analogous to a spiraling turn, while volvulus would resemble an end-over-end motion.)
The distortion of the stomach shuts off the openings at each end, like putting kinks in a garden hose. This traps food and prevents the escape of gas (which is normally not a major byproduct of digestion in the stomach, but seems to be produced in gastric dilatation cases.)
The spleen, which normally lies to the left of the stomach, is carried around to the right abdominal wall. Although the blood flow from the heart to the stomach and spleen is relatively unimpaired, the returning veins are squeezed, causing those two organs to become congested with blood.
Impaired blood flow results in shock.
Organs other than the stomach and spleen may also be affected. The portal vein – carrying waste products from the intestines to the liver for detoxification – may become blocked, allowing poisons to accumulate in the blood. Some authorities cite this condition as a major direct cause of death when bloat strikes.
Blood returning to the heart from the digestive organ seeks a new pathway when it finds its normal route shut off. Research has shown that this blood enters the vessels along the vertebral column, swelling and probably damaging them. Despite these efforts by the circulatory system to compensate for the blockage, shock results from the loss of blood pressure.
This circulatory chaos has other consequences: If normal circulation is not restored quickly, portions of the stomach, spleen and other organs may die from lack of oxygenated blood. Subsequent sloughing of the dead tissue can kill the animal, even after surgery has corrected the immediate problem.
Blood clots may form in stopped-up vessels, depleting the supply of chemical factors necessary to coagulate the blood in the event of injury. Also, changes may take place in the pancreas, eventually affecting cellular and subcellular activities. These changes may be on the biochemical level, invisible to the naked eye.
Some of the effects of a bloat attack are obvious. The swollen stomach pushes forward on the diaphragm, making respiration difficult. A bloating dog may literally have to labor for every breath.
What Can Be Done To Treat The Bloating Dog?
Here is a summary of methods suggested by both veterinarians and scientists whom have studied this major health issue:
The first step is to relieve the mounting pressure in the stomach. This not only eases the pain and makes breathing less difficult, but is also important in bringing stability to the shock situation.
In cases of simple dilatation (and sometimes in torsion cases,) a stomach tube can often be passed to allow trapped gas and digestive material to escape. But in cases involving volvulus, the “kink” in the esophagus usually prevents the use of a tube.
If this happens, some veterinarians recommend gastrocentesis – release of the gas through a needle inserted into the stomach from behind the last rib. However, others fear this procedure could damage the spleen, which may have moved into the area where the needle is inserted.
Authorities also disagree as to whether surgery is necessary in all cases involving torsion or volvulus, while others recommend it in every instance.
Surgery may be limited to putting the digestive organs back in proper alignment, but other techniques have been tried with some success. A pyloric myotomy (an operation to weaken the muscle regulating the flow of food from the stomach to the small intestine) is thought to help prevent recurrence by allowing food to pass quickly from the stomach.
Another surgical technique, called gastropexy, involves sewing the stomach to the abdominal wall to prevent excessive movement. If the impaired blood flow during the bloat episode results in tissue death, the spleen and parts of the stomach may have to be removed. In addition, biochemical tests should be run on the pancreas to detect any subtle damage to that organ.
Recommended pre-operative medications include corticosteroids, fluids, and antibiotics to alleviate shock. After surgery, the dog is usually given lactate solution, cortisone, and an antacid containing simethicone, an effective anti-gas agent.
Even though the immediate success rate for surgery is fairly high (about 80% in some clinics), the rate of recurrence is also high. Nearly half the dogs that survive one bout with bloat will be stricken again.
It has been suggested that recurrence is the result of damage to the stomach wall, which prevents that organ from functioning properly again. The time factor may be critically important in averting serious damage to the stomach.
Learning From The Cow
It might be interesting to compare canine bloat to bloat in ruminant animals, which are susceptible to the problem due to the nature of their digestive systems. Because of the economic importance of the cattle industry, bovine bloat has been studied extensively.
The first and largest of the cow’s four stomachs, the rumen, contains bacteria to help break down cellulose. This process releases methane gas, which normally is expelled from the body by belching.
Occasionally, when the animal has fed heavily on young clover or other protein-rich legumes, a tough, tenacious foam forms in the rumen and cannot be eliminated naturally. The rumen can become grossly swollen and the animal may be asphyxiated by the pressure of the lungs.
Scientists now know several things about this type of ruminant bloat. It is apparently caused by soluble proteins and two other chemicals – saponin and pectin – found in young legumes.
Some cows can be more susceptible to bloat than others, for two reasons:
1) Some cattle produce less saliva than others. (Saliva contains an anti-foam agent).
2) Some cattle have certain rumen bacteria that destroy the anti-foam agent in saliva. (A medication is now available that will prevent this kind of bloat in cattle by stopping the production of foam in the rumen.
Cattle fed a grain diet are prone to another kind of bloat known as feedlot bloat. This is caused by rumen bacteria that function normally when the animal is on a varied diet, but produce a slimy foam when the diet is primarily grain. Researchers have sought after medication that will inhibit slime production.
Is There A Connection Between Dog & Cattle?
In cattle, then, bloat seems to result from an interaction of dietary factors and bacterial action. Could the same be true in the dog?
It has been suggested by one scientist who analyzed the stomach contents of dogs which had died from bloat that the swelling was caused by carbon dioxide gas, and that the gas was produced by bacillus and clostridium bacteria. Bacilli and clostridia are probably present in the digestive tracts of most dogs, yet not all suffer from bloat attacks.
Could diet play a role?
Much research is needed to determine what relationship, if any, diet has to bloat. It has been suggested that some modern dog foods containing partially digested material might enhance gas production on the stomach. Control studies are needed to confirm or refute this hypothesis.
If feed is a factor, why is bloat confined mainly to the larger breeds? Do owners encourage engorgement by feeding these dogs one large meal per day, rather than four or five smaller meals?
One theory is that environment could be part of the problem. Today more large dogs are being subjected to apartment living than ever before, and possibly a special diet and exercise program are needed.
It would be useful to know whether bloat is more common today than it was a few decades ago. A comparison of incidence between confined dogs and physically fit dogs (such as racing greyhounds) might also be helpful. Is the environment of the apartment-dwelling dog at all connected to that of the cow confined to the feedlot?
Studies are needed to determine whether bloat might be a purely mechanical problem – a result of anatomical irregularities in large dogs. (It is known that some of the larger breeds are predisposed to certain neurological and orthopedic disorders).
Other possible factors should be examined, including age (two years seems to be the peak danger period); sex (one breeder has claimed all the bloat cases he has seen were in males); familial inheritance and seasonal effects.
Of course, one of the biggest mysteries is how stomach gas is produced in the first place, and why it is not expelled normally. Is the gas produced by the digestion of certain “bloatagenic” foods? Is it formed as a result of bacterial action?
Could it be that most of the gas is merely swallowed air? Clearly, an understanding of this gas production would be an important step toward solving the bloat riddle.
Closing Remarks
Veterinary science is a long way from understanding why dogs such as the Hedl’s Congo suddenly fall victim to this disease, and how it can be prevented or successfully treated.
Answers can only be found through the concerted efforts of veterinary practitioners, research scientists, dog breeders and pet owners. Perhaps when those answers are found, Donna Hedl and thousands of other dog owners can rest easier at night.
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May 15, 2009 | | Reports
To understand the various reasons why your dog may come down with a serious eye problem, you need know some important information on the genetic make-up of these animals.
For example, the normal dog has eyelashes on the upper lid only. They are in three to four rows, so close together that they appear as one single row. They are directed away from the cornea.
In abnormal conditions, several eyelashes may be misplaced. These hairs are located so that they are directed toward the very sensitive cornea. The initial irritant may not be associated with these hairs, but will act as the exciting mechanism of a vicious circle.
The irritant causes the animal discomfort and produces blinking. The blinking produces increased pressure by the lids on the cornea, leading to further irritation induced by the aberrant eyelashes.
This irritation further aggravates the blinking and spasms of the muscles occur, thus completing the cycle. The end result is severe corneal irritation which requires veterinarian attention.
The Goal Of Veterinarian Treatment
The object of treatment is to interrupt this vicious circle by determining and removing the initial irritant if still present. The defect that is present is treated also.
The usual method used to eliminate the aberrant hairs is “electrolysis,” in which the hairs are destroyed by electronically produced heat. Our preference is to remove surgically the entire row of abnormal hairs.
Professional help is strongly recommended to treat this problem. The use of home remedies and pet store drugs may be the most devastating mistake the dog owner can make. All medications used for eye diseases should be discarded when therapy has been completed.
Many medications that are used routinely are extremely toxic when ingested, and therefore the well-being of our children and pets should be a prime concern.
Excess Tearing
A condition of great concern to fanciers of the Poodle, Maltese, Shih Tzu, and other small, light colored dogs is “epiphora”, or excess tearing. It is a problem primarily in the lighter colored dogs. However, we see it also in dark colored dogs, but it’s simply not as noticeable.
Many things may be responsible for this very distressing problem. Among them are:
1) Misplaced eyelashes (as discussed above).
2) The tear duct which drains the tears from the eye may be abnormally positioned.
3) A small island of hair which may grow from the corner of the eye next to the nose, may act as a wick and tears will then overflow.
4) There may be overproduction of tears without apparent irritation.
5) There may be an abnormal position of the inner corner of the eyelids next to the nose referred to as “medical entropion”.
6) There is recent evidence of a potential metabolic defect associated with porphyrin metabolism.
When one reviews all of the possible causes, it becomes apparent that there is no single treatment that can cure this condition.
Some authorities recommend low levels of oxytetracyclines in the food daily, and others recommend surgical removal of the gland in the third eyelid. However, it is the opinion of many veterinarians that thorough evaluation of the entire condition is necessary in order to arrive at a definitive diagnosis and a specific treatment.
In summary, there is no therapeutic panacea for abnormal tearing and much more research is necessary to elucidate all the mechanisms predisposing to it, as well as treatments that will prove effective in the majority of cases.
Cataract Formation
Another problem facing some breeders is cataract formation. It is wise to review some of the aspects involved with this particular disease. The lens is a refractive structure within the eye. In a healthy condition, it is optically clear. It continuously grows through life, but it does so in such a way that the center becomes more compact. A normal change with age, then, is a condition called “lenticular sclerosis”.
The condition of lenticular sclerosis should not be confused with an actual cataract. It is a senile alteration of lens fibers resulting in an absorption of some of the wave lengths in the visible spectrum. The dog’s vision is not changed significantly.
In contradistinction to lenticular sclerosis, a cataract is an apparent opacity within the lens that will not allow the passage of light. Many false concepts have occurred due to nomenclature. Cataracts can be classified according to types. In general, most authorities agree on the following chronological classifications:
A) Congenital – born with.
B) Juvenile – occurring in a young dog under five years of age.
C) Senile – occurring in an older dog over five years of age.
The cause of canine cataracts – whether hereditary or acquired – may be influenced by many factors including the effects of inflammations, toxins, metabolic defects, trauma, radiation, and many more.
It becomes obvious that the term juvenile cataracts only means that a young dog has cataracts and the condition could be either acquired or hereditary. Much work is necessary to elucidate the potential hereditary mechanism which may be present. Medical therapy is of no avail and surgery is necessary if restoration of vision is to be accomplished.
Collie Eye
Collie eye is also a problem of genetic predisposition. The genetic mode of inheritance has been determined. It is a simple recessive autosomal gene. The syndrome has been “graded” unfortunately, and this is one of the worst mistakes that can be made in eliminating such a disease.
We presently diagnose dogs as affected or unaffected regardless of the variation of eye lesions present. We have demonstrated that all the lesions are related to one another and that the presence of any lesions incriminates genotypes. Because of the recessive gene, a mating of dogs with normal eyes may certainly produce affective offspring.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy
Progressive retinal atrophy is a disease which is manifested in dogs usually four years old or older. It has been reported in dogs as young as seven months. It is seen in English Setters, Springer Spaniels, Labrador Retrievers, Poodles, Elkhounds, Cocker Spaniels, Beagles, and others. It is transmitted as a simple recessive autosomal gene.
The first clinical sign which may be observed is a widely dilated pupil which becomes unresponsive to any light. The dog will soon show signs of decreased vision during twilight. The dog’s vision progressively decreases until he is completely blind. Nothing is effective in the prevention of inevitable blindness, but there is some evidence that vitamin A therapy may delay the end stage blindness; however, this is controversial.
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May 15, 2009 | | Reports
A true coonhunter believes that the cold winter nights were not made for enjoying a warm fireplace or snuggling up inside with a hot cup of cocoa. Rather, he believes that nature wanted all men to be outside doing – yep, you guessed it – coonhunting!
And what perfect hunting companion is best suited for such adventures as the tried and true coonhound dog. Following the clarion call of hounds, no matter where the chase may lead – through woodland, over high hills, across muddy swamps and dangerous streams – is to him life’s summoned calling, his destiny, his reason for living.
The Black & Tan Coonhound
The Black and Tan Coonhound was developed specifically for tracking down and treeing raccoon and opossum. These are both nocturnal treeing animals indigenous to North America, whose names derive from the pictorial Algonquian language: Arakunem (“hand scratcher”), and Apasum (“white animal”).
Raccoons are to be found throughout the forested regions of the United States, in southern Canada, and in northern Mexico. There palates crave a variety of foods: freshwater fish and crustaceans; birds, frogs, and poultry; eggs of all sorts; nuts, fruit and maize.
The small gray ring-tailed raccoon, with its dainty white paws and comical harlequin masks, seems harmless enough – but when poultry disappears from the hen house and eggs are siphoned hollow, it’s time for a coonhunt! That’s when a proper coondog is needed.
Raccoons Are Mighty Challenges
Raccoons may seem lazy, they may look cute, and they do tend to sleep in trees all day. However, when its time for venturing forth at dusk in search of food, they become a great challenge of prey. They are thoroughly at home in the water and have been known to drown inexperienced dogs four times their size.
When a pursuer closes in, they seek refuge in trees, out of reach of the enemy. The dog to use against them must have special attributes:
- He will track entirely by scent.
- Will be a willing and vigorous swimmer.
- Able to withstand extreme cold without ill effect.
- He will be powerful, capable of going the distance, whatever that may be.
- He will be brave but not foolhardy.
- He will give voice while tracking.
- And when the quarry is treed, he will continue to give voice until the hunter arrives. From start to finish he will cooperate with this pack mates, backing up any dog that gets into trouble along the way.
The Origins Of The Black & Tan Coonhound
Sometime around 1750, colonial Virginians undertook to tailor a specialized breed of dog for the sole purpose of trapping raccoon and in opossum hunting. The Black and Tan Coonhound is founded upon the early Virginia Foxhound (similar, too, of the present-day American Foxhound), with generous mixtures of Bloodhound stock.
The Foxhound may have begun his long tenure on these shores as early as 1541, for the Spanish explorer DeSoto had “hounds” with him when he discovered the Mississippi River in that year.
In 1650, Robert Brooke brought a pack of Foxhounds to Maryland. He became the first Master of Foxhounds in the colonies. Foxhunting found instant acceptance among the more affluent members of that society. In fact, owning a pack of hounds soon became a social must. Excellent Foxhounds were imported for hunting and for breeding.
Records at the University of William and Mary disclose that a member of England’s finest bloodhounds were imported in 1607 by the Jamestown colonists. These animals were to be used, not for hunting game, but to protect the settlers against Indians – and absurd job for these animals. They track, it is generally conceded, better than any other canine, but their value as attack dogs is questionable.
A Coonhound Story Of The Hunt
A story is told of a Bloodhound who was put on the trail of the elusive criminal; he dropped his nose to the ground and set forth. Across fields, through the woods, and into towns he went, taking every detour made by his quarry.
When finally he sniffed out the cowering fugitive, he wagged his tail in greeting and licked the criminals face, as if to thank him for laying such an interesting trail.
By 1750 the Virginia Foxhound was a distinct breed and Bloodhound purity remained intact. Conditions were ripe for the development of a new variety, one especially designed for coonhunting.
Foxhounds of proven ability were used to breed to the best of the Bloodhounds. From the start, selective breeding (with occasional crosses back to Bloodhound or Foxhound stock) ultimately resulted in the Black and Tan Coonhound we know of today.
The Best Of The Best
The Virginia Foxhound has bequeathed its many virtues (pack instinct refined to teamwork; endurance; determination; and spirit). Bloodhound influence can also be seen in the Black and Tan’s size, weight, coat, color, voice, ears, stance, and gait.
Six coonhound varieties are recognized by the United Kennel Club: Black and Tan; Redbone; English Coonhound; Bluetick; Treeing Walker; and Plott. The Black and Tan is the only variety with Bloodhound heritage, and the only coonhound recognized by the American Kennel Club.
Standard Black & Tan Coonhound Description
The modern Black and Tan Coonhound is a dog of medium size with smooth, taut skin showing absolutely no wrinkles. His coat is short and close-lying. He is a very solid animal with a deep chest, strong legs and a rather heavy head. The ears measure as much as 14 inches in length; when drawn forward they overlap across the nose. In repose, his demeanor is unruffled; in motion, his power, agility and stamina are evident.
Although the Black and Tan is an established purebred animal recognized by the American Kennel Club since 1945, his breeding is still in its infancy. Breeding continues to be a hazardous undertaking because we don’t yet know enough about the background of these animals to be able to predict the outcome each time we breed.
After sixty-plus years, the Black and Tan is only ranked in the 130s of popularity among the entire list of AKC breeds. Annual registrations are below a thousand.
At present they vary in coat and confirmation from region to region. For example, a Black and Tan born in the Midwest in winter may have a thick heavy coat, while one born on the West Coast will probably have a slick, very close coat. (The standard asks for a short, dense coat).
Litter mates often show wide variance, one from the other, and the matter of head shape – which may be sharp and slender or wide and flat. (The standard asks for a substantial, domed head). Other variable points within the breed are size, feet, ears and eyes.
Breeders Working Hard To Make The Standard
Breeders in several states (Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Oregon, and California, to mention a few) have worked together to standardize the Black and Tan.
Enthusiasts understand that the only way to develop the standard type of dog is to ship brood females to other reputable breeders to improve the stock, and then ship the pups.
One dedicated lady sent her fine California-bred female East for service. Of the resulting seven-pup litter, six were shipped to other breeders: two to Michigan, one to Massachusetts, one to New Jersey and two to California breeders in other parts of the state.
When Bad Dog Show Judges Hurt The Standard
The name of breeding game is ongoing perfection. The object is always to improve the stock. As long as unworthy dogs are awarded points at dog shows, faults and variances in a breeds will persist.
Everybody wants to breed a champion. Ordinarily, this is wise; to do so usually improves the quality of the litter. But what if the dog bearing that title falls so short of the standard that its championship is not deserved? Doesn’t this perpetuate faults and variances?
When only a few dogs of the breed are entered into a show, there may not be four among them worthy of becoming champions. But the judge has four ribbons; too often he feels that all four must be awarded.
This is not so. Any AKC judge can withhold any ribbon he wants to. If he would but exercise his prerogative, unworthy dogs would not capture points, and Black and Tan breeders everywhere would bless him.
The United Kennel Club sponsors, annually, a series of licensed night hunts. Owners interested in competing in its trials register their animals with the UKC. The same animals may also be registered with the AKC (if their parents were so registered); however, neither club recognizes the registration with the pedigree of the other.
One very successful breeder and enthusiast of the Black and Tan Coonhound says:
“A good coonhound doesn’t really mature for four or five years. They reach full growth in a year, but they don’t fill out and grow up mentally for several years more. Their life span is from twelve to fifteen years”.
He goes on to say:
“I don’t think they see so well, especially in the daytime. I’ve had them come up to me, and they look like they are straining to get their vision. They are kind of peering at you, like, where are you?”
In estimating the character and personality of a dog it is valuable to examine the traits of his forebears, for their blood still courses in the veins. Since the Black and Tan is evolving from deliberate matings of two varieties of hound, we need to look no further.
Hounds work in packs; they are less symbiotically attached to humans, by the very nature of their role in life, than any other types of canines. Through the centuries they have kept in twos, threes or more kennels, rather than individually at the fireside. The individual Black and Tan is malleable, to a degree, when he is very young.
They make good house pets if they’re raised in the house, but if they’re not socialized from the age of six or seven weeks, the dogs are extremely hard to make up with.
One of the desired qualities in a coonhound is his clear, resounding call with variations in volume and pitch - he was carefully bred for it. If he’s left alone in the kennel for a long time he’s going to be noisy. He needs attention and diversion to keep him sound in mind and body.
Another desired coonhound characteristic is his ability to be self-directed; to solve his own problems on the trail. He thinks and acts like a hound, not like a working dog, or a sporting dog, or a Terrier.
Raising A Black & Tan Coonhound – What To Expect
For obedience work these dogs are very hardheaded. This is not to say they cannot learn; there are a few competing in obedience trials, and some have earned CD’s and CDX’s.
A Black and Tan, then, responds to his environment. He is apt to give love in just about the same measure as he received it during his most impressionable weeks (week eight through week twelve), and from that point forward.
He can be trained to obedience work, but only at the cost of great patience. He will probably be quiet most of the time if he lives in the house. If he sleeps outdoors, he will almost surely bark at the moon.
He needs no training to hunt, except perhaps from his pack mates. His Bloodhound nose, his Foxhound love of the chase, his own inimitable call – all systems are operable. And when the daylight wanes away he comes into his own at night.
When they are at work, the Black and Tan will go after any animal that’ll go up a tree. People use them for bear, cougar, bobcats, as well as raccoon. You can work a single coonhound (unless the dog is very young; young ones should never hunt alone), but normally they’re hunted in packs of three to six. For one thing, going after some of the bigger animals does most of the tracking and bugling; the others back him up.
They give voice as they track. When they are trailing, it will be a sort of softer tone, you could say. When they’ve actually treed, they give out with either a bawl, bugle, or yodeling – they have various calls. With a little practice you can tell which dog is doing what. No two of them have the same sound.
A good many hunters mix their packs. The Bluetick is fairly closely related to the Black and Tan, and a lot of hunters use this mix. In the winter of 1975 a group of Canadian hunters treed and killed eight cougars using a mixed pack.
These dogs are not like a sporting dog to be pointed and shot over. Normally, the hunter will call the dogs back out of the way before he shoots. As a dog to tree animals, hold them at bay, and communicate this accomplishment to his owner, there is no other hunting compliment that compares to the Black and Tan Coonhound.
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May 15, 2009 | | Reports
When people see my charming little powder-puff of a dog, they invariably ask as to his background. The little Bichon Frise always requires careful explanation because most casual observers think he’s a Toy Poodle or Maltese Poodle crossbreed. They are also surprised to learn that instead of being a brand-new breed, the Bichon Frise actually dates back before the 14th century.
The Bichon has taken a long time to become known in this country, despite its historic origins. The Bichon Frise Club of American was only founded in the mid 1960’s and it was not recognized by the American Kennel Club until seven years later.
Only a few breeders yet specialize on this dog, though doubtlessly the popularity is increasing at a rapid pace, and will continue to do so, especially when the dog’s amazing personality becomes more widely known.
These little dogs are descended from the Water Spaniel. The term spaniel originated in Spain and was applied to a small shaggy race of dogs in that country. Another name, Barbet, was used in connection with this type of dog, and for a time they also were called Barbichon.
The Bichon Frise was found in the Mediterranean countries in the 1300s. There are four types:
1. The Bolognese - from the pre-Roman city of Bologna in north central Italy.
2. The Maltais - from the island of Malta.
3. The Tenerife - from the largest of the Canary Islands.
4. The Havanese – unknown name origin.
It isn’t clear how the Havanese got its name. It could come from Cuba since that country was founded by the Spaniards in 1515 and the port of Havana named. Another possibility is that the name came from Havalange, Belguim, since the people of that country have been interested in the breed for centuries.
However, today’s origin for our concern is the the Tenerife, since the Bichon as we know it today has descended from this category. It is white with a slight buff or gray color on the ears, sometimes a faint patch of color on the body or all white. The other three types or gray, buff, black, or parti-colored.
For a time the Bichon was called Tenerife, perhaps because of the interest and intrigue it gave this breed when it began appearing in France in the 1500’s. Henry III, whose reign lasted from 1574 to 1589, was responsible for the popularity of the little dogs at that time. He carried them about, washed them, exquisitely groomed and perfumed, all in a tray-like basket what was slung from his neck by ribbons. They were equally popular with the ladies of King Henry’s court.
It is thought by fanciers that the word “Bichonner”, which is a French term of endearment, was used in relation to the Tenerife during Henry III’s reign and eventually became “Bichon a Poil Frise”, the last word meaning curly.
Bichon Frise historians claim that these little dogs appeared in a painting by an Italian artist named Bernadio Pintoricchio, in the 1400’s. A German painter, Albrecht Durer (1471 – 1528), depicted these small dogs clipped in the fashion of the day. Durer worked in Italy in the year 1494. Frans Snyders (1579 – 1657), a Flemish still-life painter, worked in Italy in the 1500’s and one of these dogs appears in one of his paintings. Jose de Goya of Spain (1746 – 1828) also shows a similar dog in his paintings.
Researchers on the Bichon agree that the breed encountered some very unfortunate periods, alternating with times of popularity. One of the bad times was in the early 1900s when the lovely little creatures became an attraction with the organ grinders, a blind man’s companion, and was used as a trick and circus dog in Europe.
After World War I, breeders in France became interested in the Bichon Frise and again they came into favor. A sound breeding program was begun. On March 5, 1933, the Societe Centrale Canine of France pioneered an official standard, and October 18, 1934, Le Bichon Frise was registered in the book Origines Francais. So the little Spanish dog became French and soon was recognized in Italy and Belgium.
According to the records, the first Bichons, Eddy White de Steren Vor and Etoile de Steren Vor, were brought to the United States in 1956. In 1957 the first litter was born to Etoile. The names Etoile and Eddy appear on many a pedigree of the breed in the United States today.
Although the Bichon Frise is often mistaken for his cousins, the Toy Poodle and the Maltese, he is a distinctive breed all his own. He wears a double curly or wavy coat, which usually is soft and dense, somewhat resembling the coat of the Poodle and the softhaired Maltese.
Perhaps these three breeds all were descended from the shaggy spaniels of Spain and through the centuries evolved into the beautiful breeds they are today.
Among other breeders, those raising Poodles and Maltese have been attracted to the Bichon Frise, probably because of the similarity and also for the differences. What one finds in the Bichon Frise is a highly intelligent dog with a mild temperament, one that is easily trained in obedience, yet is a doll when it comes to showing. However, he doesn’t have the “Yapping” characteristic of the Toy Poodles, and his quiet, good nature endears him to all who know him. The Bichon also adapts incredibly well to apartment life.
Only one size is listed in the AKC standards, and these have a height of 8 to 10 inches at the shoulder, and weigh 8 to 11 pounds. There is only one clip, natural, with the hair trimmed from around the eyes, and the coat is kept trimmed to a minimum of 2 inches and brushed into a powder-puff appearance. Brushing three times a week keeps the coat in good condition, but a daily brushing his best. It is very unusual to see a Bichon with weepy eyes.
These dogs are odorless and do not shed. The ears need attention periodically to clean out the hair and be kept clean. For grooming standards, the Bichon Frise is scissored to show the eyes and give a full rounded appearance to the head and body. The feet of this breed should have the hair trimmed to give a rounded appearance as well. Puppies may be shown in short coat, but the minimum show coat for an adult is 2 inches.
Every breed has faults, as listed in their official standards. The Bichon Frise has the following faults: Cowhocks, snipy muzzle, poor pigmentation, protruding eyes, yellow eyes, undershot or overshot bite. Serious faults include the corkscrew tail and black hair in the coat.
Dedicated breeders and enthusiasts have formed clubs in different sections of the United States to promote the Bichon Frise, and many persons long associated in canine activities have given their time, opinions and advice.
Coverage has been good in newspapers, some dog magazines, and small articles have appeared in many periodicals. The first annual match was held in San Diego, California in 1964 and at this time there are at least half a dozen books that have been written about or are currently being prepared on the Bichon Frise.
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May 15, 2009 | | Reports
If you ask any dog owner or canine enthusiast whether they know if dogs are officially color blind or not, most people won’t have the faintest idea. And guess what, the scientific community is not sure either! However, there are indeed some facts about a dog’s vision that has come through from studies and tests.
So, is your dog really color blind or this claim just a myth? The following scientific article may help clear up some of the confusion while at the same time educating you about color perception in the eyes of a dog:
About a hundred years ago, scientists observed that the retina of a dog’s eyes did not have the cone-shaped cells which are abundant in human eyes (as well as the the eyes of other primates). In primates, the cone-shaped cells occur in greatest numbers in the portion of the retina called the fovea. Here, vision is most acute. The number of cone-shaped cells decreases as the distance from the fovea increases.
At the same time, the number of rod-shaped cells increases. Rod-shaped cells are common to members of both the canine and primate families. Some individuals, who were thought to be color blind, were found to have a deficiency or a lack of cone-shaped cells. Whether a highly significant number of retina from color-blind individuals were ever examined is questionable.
Furthermore, since there was no proof that color is perceived by these cells, ascribing color blindness to the lack of these cells does not necessarily follow. In other words, if the body is missing an element that could take away the problem, the color blindness is not the absolute diagnosis.
Under poor lighting conditions, more of the retina is used for vision; at the same time, color discrimination is more difficult. Consequently, more rod-shaped cells and fewer cone-shaped cells are used for vision. This was thought to be further evidence that color could only be perceived by means of cone-shaped cells. Thereafter, dogs became color blind and were relegated to seeing everything in black and white.
Many people who have dogs (admitting that they were in no position to dispute scientific evidence) have, nevertheless, been skeptical about the results of scientific research. They’ve chosen to ignore the arguments for or against color vision.
A Real-Life Experiment With My Miniature Schnauzer
The marked preference for objects of bright pink by my newly acquired Miniature Schnauzer, suggested that this could not be accidental and that some learning test should be carried out. Because she also showed a preference for soft, cuddly items, a set of stuffed mohair balls of identical size were made for her.
She was then presented with a brilliant pink ball and told that it was her “pink ball”. The ball was then tossed, together with her other toys, and she was asked to get one of the items. She learned to correctly select the pink ball within 20 minutes.
Several days later, she was presented with a similar ball colored bright blue. When the two balls were tossed at the same time and she was asked to get one or the other, she succeeded in correctly selecting the ball she was asked to within five minutes.
She has retained this knowledge until the present, nearly four years later. Several minutes after she learned to identify her blue ball, she was presented with a yellow ball and told it was her “yellow ball”. Once again she almost immediately learned to correctly identify the ball. Indeed, at no time did she incorrectly identify it.
Some time later she was presented with a green ball. Again, she learned to correctly identify it almost immediately; again, she has retained this knowledge.
Light meter readings of the light reflected from all the balls, with the exception of the yellow one, were essentially the same. When she was told, “Let’s play ball,” her preference was usually the pink one; the blue ball came next. She chose the less brilliant yellow ball least frequently.
The Final Test – My Dog Is Not Colorblind
Similarly, she rapidly learned to distinguish a set of rubber balls. A game called “Hide a Ball” was then devised. All of her balls were hidden throughout the apartment and she was asked to get a specific one. She would then “sniff out” as many balls as was necessary to find the correct one; all the balls but the one she was asked to find would be left where they were placed. And, when she found the correct one she always discontinued her search.
If there was insufficient light for the balls to be distinguished by human beings, apparently she could not distinguish the correct ball either, for she would leave the balls where she found them until a light was turned on.
This clearly indicates that scent was only a slight factor in tracing the whereabouts of the balls and not in selecting the correct one, thus providing evidence that dogs may not be colorblind at all.
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May 15, 2009 | | Reports
